AMD Ryzen 7 2800H vs Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H and Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5 are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, but they target different market segments: the Ryzen 7 is a mobile part with integrated graphics, while the Xeon is a server/workstation chip with ECC support. Benchmark results from the database show the Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5 winning all six Cinebench tests, though by narrow margins of 1% to 1.4%. This analysis breaks down the head-to-head results, architecture differences, and use-case implications.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six Cinebench comparisons between these two CPUs, and the Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5 wins every single one. The margins are consistent but small. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 707 against the Ryzen's 697, a delta of -1.4% for the AMD part. The single-core R15 result is 99 versus 98, a 1% gap. Moving to R20, the Xeon leads 2948 to 2907 in multi-core (-1.4%) and 416 to 410 in single-core (-1.4%). The R23 results follow the same pattern: multi-core 7020 versus 6922 (-1.4%) and single-core 991 versus 977 (-1.4%).

These deltas are uniform across all but one test, indicating a consistent performance advantage for the Intel chip rather than a workload-specific quirk. The single-core R15 margin is slightly smaller at 1%, but the other five tests all show exactly 1.4%. The average benchmark scores reflect this: the Xeon averages 2030, while the Ryzen averages 2002, a difference of 28 points, or roughly 1.4%. Both CPUs sit at the 45th percentile among all processors in the database, meaning they are in the same performance tier overall.

The nearest rivals for each chip reinforce this positioning. The Ryzen 7 2800H's average score of 2002 is essentially tied with the Intel Core i5-8400T (2001) and the Core i5-8400H (2003), with deltas of 0% and -0.1% respectively. The Xeon E3-1240 v5's average of 2030 is similarly close to the Core i7-5775R (2031, -0.1%) and the Xeon E3-1280 v5 (2029, +0.1%). So while the Xeon leads the Ryzen, both are surrounded by comparable 4-core parts.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5 wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, so in raw compute performance it is the clear choice. The 1.4% lead in multi-core and single-core tests translates to a small but measurable advantage in any CPU-bound workload, whether rendering, compilation, or general productivity. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which is a critical feature for server and workstation environments where data integrity is paramount. Its higher base and boost clocks (3.50 GHz and 3.90 GHz versus 3.40 GHz and 3.80 GHz) contribute to the performance edge, as does its larger 8 MB L3 cache compared to the Ryzen's 4 MB.

The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H, however, has its own strengths. It is a mobile processor with a TDP of just 15 watts, versus the Xeon's 80 watts. This makes it suitable for thin-and-light laptops where power efficiency is essential. The Ryzen also includes integrated Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics, so it can drive a display without a discrete GPU, which is impossible on the Xeon since it has no integrated graphics. The Ryzen is still in active production, while the Xeon is end-of-life, so the AMD part is more readily available for new designs. For a mobile or low-power system that does not require ECC, the Ryzen is the practical choice despite its slightly lower benchmark scores.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different architectural lineages. The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H uses the Zen architecture, codenamed Raven Ridge, built on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. Its die size is 246 mm². The Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5 uses the Skylake architecture, codenamed Skylake-DT, also on a 14 nm process but fabricated by Intel. Its die size is 122 mm², and it contains 1,750 million transistors. The AMD part has no listed transistor count.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The Ryzen has 128 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with a shared 4 MB L3. The Xeon has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, but a larger shared 8 MB L3. The larger L3 on the Intel part likely helps in multi-threaded workloads that reuse data across cores.

Memory support also diverges. The Ryzen supports only DDR4, while the Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the Xeon has a listed memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the Ryzen has no bandwidth figure in the database. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which the Ryzen does not. The Xeon provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ryzen has no PCIe specification listed.

The integrated graphics situation is a major differentiator. The Ryzen includes Radeon RX Vega 11, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics at all. This makes the Ryzen a complete APU solution, whereas the Xeon requires a discrete GPU for any display output.

The market segments are opposite: the Ryzen is a mobile part (AMD Socket FP5), while the Xeon is a server/workstation part (Intel Socket 1151). The Ryzen is active in production, while the Xeon is end-of-life. Release dates also differ: the Ryzen launched on 2018-05-29, the Xeon on 2015-10-18.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5 leads in all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 7020 versus the Ryzen's 6922, a 1.4% advantage. The R20 and R15 multi-core results show the same 1.4% gap.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Radeon RX Vega 11. The Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5 has no integrated graphics, so it requires a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E3-1240 v5 supports ECC memory. The Ryzen 7 2800H does not.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Ryzen 7 2800H has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Xeon E3-1240 v5 has a TDP of 80 watts. This makes the Ryzen far more power-efficient for mobile use.

Q: Which CPU is newer?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H was released on 2018-05-29, while the Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5 was released on 2015-10-18. The Ryzen is also still in active production, whereas the Xeon is end-of-life.

Q: How do their cache sizes compare?

A: The Ryzen has 128 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, with a shared 4 MB L3. The Xeon has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but a larger shared 8 MB L3.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors, based on the database records:

| Field | AMD Ryzen 7 2800H | Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5 |

|-------|-------------------|------------------------|

| Series | 2000 series | Not specified |

| Base clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 80 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Zen | Skylake |

| Codename | Raven Ridge | Skylake-DT |

| Generation | Ryzen 7 (Zen (Raven Ridge)) | Xeon E3 (Skylake-DT) |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | Not specified | 1,750 million |

| Die size | 246 mm² | 122 mm² |

| L1 cache (per core) | 128 KB | 64 KB |

| L2 cache (per core) | 512 KB | 256 KB |

| L3 cache (shared) | 4 MB | 8 MB |

| Memory support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory bandwidth | Not specified | 34.1 GB/s |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Not specified | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon RX Vega 11 | None |

| Market segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Production status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release date | 2018-05-29 | 2015-10-18 |

| Launch MSRP | Not specified | $282 |

| Part number | Not specified | SR2LD |

The Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5 has a launch MSRP of $282. Both CPUs have 4 cores and 8 threads, and both use a dual-channel memory bus, but every other specification in the database shows a difference. The Ryzen is a low-power mobile APU with integrated graphics, while the Xeon is a higher-power server chip with ECC support and a larger L3 cache. The benchmark results show the Xeon holding a consistent, if modest, performance lead across all Cinebench tests.